"You've been watching me for half a year now. What do you want?"
The weary-looking young man sighed, shaking his head helplessly as he asked.
"Just passing time. I saw someone interesting, so naturally, I had to take a closer look."
Qin Chuan smiled and shrugged.
"Just an attractive guy who can't pay his tab, what's so interesting about that?"
The tired youth sneered.
"It's precisely because you can't pay that it's interesting."
Qin Chuan chuckled. "After all, being able to get away with it takes some skill too."
The young man's face twitched, and he shrugged.
"I don't indulge in much, but I do have a talent for getting out of paying... It's not that special."
"Indeed. However, your skills in that department are rather impressive."
Qin Chuan nodded, still smiling.
The art of freeloading was...
"Alright, alright. I'll stop pretending. Fine, I admit it—I'm actually a super strong cultivator."
After a long pause, the weary youth spread his hands and asked, "So, what do you want from me?"
"Do you want a disciple? I could bring you one."
Qin Chuan grinned.
"Are you talking about that radiant kid?" The tired youth's eyes gleamed with a spark of interest.
"Is he good enough?"
Qin Chuan asked with a mischievous smile.
"He's certainly qualified. However, I already have a candidate, and I only take one disciple."
The young man replied.
"Is your current disciple better than him?"
Qin Chuan questioned.
The youth suddenly laughed. The exhaustion in his eyes faded, replaced by a rare depth.
"Choosing a disciple isn't about picking the best. It's about finding the right one. I'm not the strongest myself, so why should I demand the best disciple?"
Qin Chuan paused, a bit taken aback.
He admired this youth more now—such a broad perspective was rare to find.
Taking a deep breath, Qin Chuan said, "But this kid has already learned the Devouring Sun Emperor Art. Isn't that a fated connection? Why not take him in as well?"
The tired youth looked at Qin Chuan with a knowing smile.
"Well, you've also practiced the Devouring Sun Emperor Art. Why don't you call me 'Master' then?"
"Get lost!"
Qin Chuan's face twitched.
"Hahaha, just kidding."
The young man laughed. "In truth, he doesn't need to formally be my disciple. If such a genius exists in our human race, as a senior, I'll naturally watch out for him."
"Thank you."
Qin Chuan cupped his hands in gratitude, then added solemnly, "But remember, the finest swords are forged through the hottest flames."
"I understand, I understand..."
The tired youth's eyes twinkled mischievously, clearly harboring some clever schemes.
Qin Chuan bowed deeply toward him.
This bow was a gesture of respect between fellow travelers of the Dao!
"Ah... Ah..."
Suddenly, the tired youth lost his balance, flailing his arms for a moment before tumbling into the river with a splash.
A chorus of chickens crowed from nearby.
Their conversation had taken place on a mental plane, unnoticed by others. To onlookers, they seemed to be standing still, yet in their own perception, they had been engaged in a lively exchange.
It was like two different worlds—their higher realm was invisible to most.
"Grandfather!"
At this moment, a graceful figure came flying over from a distance, light as a swallow, landing elegantly on the boat.
"Grandfather, are you alright?"
The young girl anxiously checked the old man's body, as if afraid he might be missing a limb.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Wanqing, quickly kneel and thank our benefactor—it was this gentleman who saved us."
The old man hurriedly said.
"Thank you, my lord, for saving us!"
The girl turned and knelt before Qin Chuan, her tone soft, sincere, and full of respect.
Qin Chuan took a moment to size up the girl.
She wore a simple dress of light silk, but it couldn't hide her clear, pure aura. She was like a cool spring, bringing peace to those who looked at her. She resembled a flawless jade—gentle, yet with an underlying strength.
As she raised her head shyly to steal a glance at her savior, her body trembled slightly.
Her eyes, like ripples in a lake, shimmered, and her pupils seemed to lose focus as she gazed at Qin Chuan.
"This..."
She stared at him in a daze, her hands instinctively reaching out, as if to touch his familiar face.
"Wanqing!"
The old man called out sharply.
The girl snapped back to reality, like a startled bird, quickly withdrawing her hands and bowing deeply, flustered.
"I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I just... couldn't help myself."
"It's alright."
Qin Chuan smiled.
He didn't mind. After all, who wouldn't be pleased when a pure-hearted girl was mesmerized by their looks?
Even someone as upright as Qin Chuan couldn't deny that it felt rather pleasant.
"Wanqing, from now on, you will follow this gentleman. Serve him tea, and he will protect you."
The old man said suddenly.
"Ah?"
Yu Wanqing, surprised by his words, quickly asked, "What about you, Grandfather?"
"Heh, I've been dragging you around for years, always on the run. Now, I can finally go where I wish."
The old man chuckled.
The girl fell silent.
After a moment, she bit her lip and softly said, "Grandfather... I'll stay with you, no matter where you go."
She understood her grandfather's intentions—he wanted to find her a protector while he continued to live in danger. But how could she leave him alone?
"You little fool, you've been a burden to me for so long. Isn't it time for me to enjoy my own life?"
The old man pretended to be angry.
"Grandfather, I don't hinder you at all. Last time you went out late to talk with that lady at Mingyue Pavilion, didn't I make you a bowl of noodle soup at home? I know those talks take a lot of energy."
The girl giggled, covering her mouth.
"You nonsense-spouting brat!"
The old man's face flushed as he jumped up, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "When did I ever go to Mingyue Pavilion to see Lady Qing?"
The girl's eyes curved into crescent moons as she laughed.
"Alright, enough. You don't have to follow me. I've already made arrangements for you two."
Qin Chuan said calmly.
"What?!"
The old man's eyes widened in disbelief and joy.
A smile tugged at Qin Chuan's lips.
"From now on, someone will be protecting you. When you're in danger, he will appear."
"This... Is this true?"
The old man was still doubtful. It would take a powerful protector—likely a Martial Emperor—to fend off the pursuit from the Yu family.
Appointing a Martial Emperor to protect them? What kind of favor would that require?
Why would this gentleman go to such lengths for them?
"Do I need to lie to you?"
Qin Chuan stood with his hands behind his back, smiling as he asked.
The old man took a deep breath.
Indeed, a Martial Emperor like Qin Chuan had no need to lie to small fries like them.
"Kowtowing to thank the benefactor" would've been the proper course for a man of such power.
"Thank you, my lord! We will never forget your great kindness!"
The old man knelt once more.
The girl also knelt by his side, but she remained silent, her head lowered.
Though she wished to steal another glance at Qin Chuan, her shyness prevented her from doing so.
"I'm leaving now. Farewell."
Qin Chuan said with a smile, then began walking away on the water. With each step, his figure flickered, as if teleporting to the next spot, leaving only a fading image in his wake.
In just a few steps, he had completely disappeared from view, with only lingering afterimages slowly dissipating behind him.
Yu Wanqing stared at the direction he had left, lost in thought.
"Wanqing, what came over you earlier? Why did you act so disrespectfully? Thankfully, the lord didn't take offense."
The old man said.
"I... I don't know what happened. It just felt like I... knew him, as if he was... someone very close."
The girl shook her head, her voice low and confused.
The old man pondered for a moment, then laughed mischievously.
"Ha, could it be... you were his wife in your past life?"
"Grandfather!"
The girl's face flushed red, and she twisted his arm playfully, causing him to grimace in pain.
Soon after, the two of them walked away, laughing together.
Meanwhile, the tired young man, still soaking in the river, twitched his lips, gritting his teeth.
"That damn scoundrel... playing me like this! I did all the hard work, and he gets all the credit!"